Easing Your Child's Post-Election Anxiety

A recent study by the Southern Poverty Law Center estimated that over 50% of children in the US feel anxiety and fear since Trump’s election. This number is significantly higher in Muslim children, children of color, and children in immigrant families.

The election and recent behavior of the Trump administration have many of us experiencing a great deal of stress, so much that many psychiatrists have already started using the term “Post-Trump Stress Disorder” to explain the huge influx of clients seeking election-related mental health support since November 2nd. ​The stress, grief, and anxiety relating to Trump’s election is not only being felt by adults - it is also having a dramatic and unique impact on kids.

Because children don't always have the words to describe their feelings, increased stress and anxiety in your child may come out as any of the following:

Tantrums, irritability, crying more frequently

Acting out at school

Disturbed sleep or bad dreams

Worrying, fretting, repetitive behavior

Stressed or anxious expression

Aggravation of fears or phobias

Loss of appetite or increased appetite

Stomach aches, diarrhea, or constipation

These symptoms may be especially noticeable or aggravated in children who are included in one or more of the identities that have been targeted or threatened by the Trump administration - female children, LGBTQ children and adolescents, children of color, immigrant children or children whose parents are immigrants, and children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to confusion and stress over recent events. ​

So how can you help your child deal with the fear, stress, and confusion of the current political climate?

Talk About It

Many parents think that by avoiding the subject of the election and the behavior of the Trump administration, they can shield their children from the majority of its impact. However, most children have a surprisingly complex understanding of current events - either due to things they have overheard from adults, things they have read on social media, things they have heard on the radio or seen on TV, or things they have discussed with their peers. ​​

Children need avenues to discuss their fears and concerns. Avoiding the subject of the Trump administration may be increasing anxiety, rather than preventing it. While you don’t have to inform your child of every nuance and detail of the political change that is happening in Washington, inviting your children to share their thoughts, feelings, fears and concerns can be a big step toward relieving those concerns in a healthy way.

Encourage Your Kids to Get Active

Many children and adolescents feel like they have more hope and less anxiety after taking an active roll in the political process - whether on a global or a local scale. Taking some kind of positive action such as participation in marches, writing letters, donating funds, or doing some kind of service work such as volunteering with local organizations can go a long way toward bringing peace of mind and a feeling of empowerment to kids. It also may help your child develop a lifelong investment in positive social change.

Take Care of Yourself

As your child’s main support and care person, it’s vital that you take time out to care for yourself. Self-care in stressful times can take many forms, such as carving out small amounts of alone-time, taking a hot bath, seeing a counselor, talking with other supportive adults in your community, taking media breaks, and focusing on the holy trinity of wellness: eating well, sleeping, and exercise. ​

Herbs for Anxious Kids

There are many great herbs that support and soothe anxiety. Most of these are safe for both children and adults. Some excellent herbal allies include:

Chamomile: This can be taken as a tea or even used in the bath. For tea, steep one teaspoon of dried chamomile in 8oz of hot water for 10 minutes. This gentle and calming tea can be sipped throughout the day. It is especially effective for kids whose anxiety manifests in GI symptoms such as stomach aches, diarrhea, or nausea. For a relaxing chamomile bath, add three to six drops of chamomile essential oil to bath water, then let your child soak and relax.

Lavender: Lavender can be used similarly to chamomile - the dried flowers can be taken as a tea alone or combined with chamomile for a soothing effect, or the essential oil can be added to a warm bath.

Skullcap: Skullcap is a gentle and relaxing herb that can be taken as a tincture or a glycerite (alcohol free extraction). It is a mild relaxant and antioxidant, and may help with child or adolescent depression. The use and dosage of this herb can vary depending on age - for recommended use, contact your pediatrician, herbalist, or naturopathic doctor.

Lemon Balm: This herb grows as a weed in many back yards across much of the US. It is a member of the mint family, and resembles spearmint. The leaves when crushed have a very distinctive lemony smell. Lemon balm is anti-anxiety, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. It can also be helpful for kids who are unable to sleep because of stress and anxiety. It can be taken as a tincture, as a glycerite, or as a tea.

However you choose to support your child during these stressful times, remember that you have many allies in the medical, healing, and mental health communities. From doctors to herbalists, counselors to teachers, there are all kinds of professionals out there who can offer you and your family support and nurturing care. You (and your family) don’t have to do this alone! Check out the reading lists below for more ideas about how to support your child's sense of hope and empowerment.

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Dr Silver is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor in the Detroit metro area.

Dr Silver is currently taking new patients. Call 248-397-4664 or click on the button above to make an appointment.

​This blog is intended for educational purposes only.Information expressed herein does not constitute medical advice and in no way should be used as a substitute for the advice and attention of a qualified medical practitioner.

While most states offer medical licensing to naturopathic doctors, Michigan does not currently offer licensure to ND's.Until Michigan's licensing bill is passed, naturopathic medicine in Michigan is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.Because of this Dr Silver's medical licensed is issued by the state of Vermont and he works locally under the title Naturopathic Health Consultant.